How Much Does a New Kitchen Cost in the UK?
6 min read · Updated 26 June 2026
“How much does a new kitchen cost?” is the first question almost everyone asks — and the honest answer is “it depends.” But that's not very helpful when you're trying to plan. So here's a clear, no-nonsense look at what drives the price of a UK kitchen, a rule of thumb that actually works, and where the money tends to go.
The 5–10% rule of thumb
A widely-used guideline in the UK trade is to budget roughly 5–10% of your home's value on a new kitchen. On an average UK home, an entry-level fitted kitchen often lands near the 5% mark, a mid-range project around 6–9%, and a high-end, design-led kitchen at 10% or more.
It's a planning sense-check, not a quote — a £250,000 home and a £600,000 home will have very different “normal” kitchen budgets. The rule keeps you grounded: spend far below it and you may struggle to get the quality you want; spend far above it and you risk over-improving for your street.
Where the money actually goes
Most of a kitchen budget falls into a handful of buckets. As a rough split: cabinetry is the biggest single line (around a third), then appliances, installation and worktops, with electrics, flooring and the sink/tap making up the rest. Two identical-looking kitchens can differ by thousands depending on the cabinet construction, the worktop material, and which appliances you choose.
Worktops are where budgets quietly blow out: laminate is the value option, while quartz, granite and porcelain can multiply that cost — especially with a waterfall edge or a large island. Appliances are the other swing factor, from solid mid-range packages to integrated, brand-name everything.
Don't forget the hidden costs
The headline kitchen price rarely includes everything. Budget for the extras that catch people out: removing and disposing of the old kitchen, plastering and making good, electrical and plumbing alterations, flooring, tiling and splashbacks, painting, and any structural work if you're knocking through.
A sensible move is to hold back around 10% of your budget as a contingency for the surprises that appear once walls and floors are opened up. It's far less stressful to have it and not need it.
How to get an accurate price
The only way to know what your kitchen will cost is to get itemised quotes — and the old trade wisdom holds: always get three. Comparing three quotes for the same spec quickly reveals what's fair, what's padded, and who actually understood your project.
Before you walk into a showroom, it pays to know roughly what you want and what things cost, so you can compare like for like and stay in control of the budget rather than being sold to.
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Frequently asked
Is it cheaper to buy a kitchen and fit it yourself?
Supplying your own units and using an independent fitter can reduce cost, but you take on the project management and the risk if something doesn't fit. Many homeowners find a single accountable specialist works out better value once you factor in time, mistakes and snagging.
How much should I spend on appliances?
Appliances typically take up around a sixth to a fifth of a kitchen budget. Spend where it matters to you (a good oven and hob), and be pragmatic elsewhere — premium brand integrated appliances add up fast.